Attack of the tribute bands

There’s no music like live music. But not everyone is lucky enough to catch their favorite band before a breakup (or death) makes that a pipe dream.

Fortunately, the age of tributes is upon us, and it’s given rise to a sea of obsessive cover bands that resurrect everyone from Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles to Queen and The Who (it’s worth noting that an alarming number of these bands are dedicated to currently touring artists, begging the question why?). Not only do tributes have a remarkable knack for hitting every insignificant note of your favorite record, they tend to look an awful like the band in its heyday. This week, the sea of tributes will break the shores of Asheville with an impressive tide of these musical double takes, offering Ashevillians a second crack at The Grateful Dead (Dark Star Orchestra at The Orange Peel on Wednesday, Feb. 22), The Talking Heads (Same as It Ever Was at Asheville Music Hall on Friday, Feb. 24), Led Zeppelin (Custard Pie, featuring an all-local lineup, at Highland Brewing Company on Saturday, Jan. 25) and Sublime (Badfish at The Orange Peel on Sunday, Feb. 26).

About Dane Smith

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